Aerator and charging mechanism therefor



Dec. 15, 1942. L. T. WARD AERATOR AND CHARGING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 29, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR,

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gg H IH r lill/ l Dern 15, 1942. A l.. T. WARD AERATOR AND CHARGING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 29, 1940 s sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 15, 1942. L. T. WARD AERATOR AND CHARGING MECHANISM .THEREFOR Filed July 29, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 1s, 1942 asoazss .1i-:anon am) cmnamc `Mncxnimsiu mamma Lawrence T. Ward, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Knapp-Monarch Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation o! Missouri Application July 29, 1940, Serial No. 348,240

'lv Claims.

My present invention relates to an aerator or syphon particularly adapted for whipping cream and to a mechanism operable to charge the aerator or syphon withy compressed gas or the like.

One object of the invention is to provide an aerator construction particularly designed for ease of cleaning and adapted to contain cream to be aerated, and by the aerating process to cause the cream to assume the consistency of whipped cream with a substantial increase in volume of the cream as it is dispensed from the aerator.

Another object is to provide an aerator or syphon construction having a body shell'and a bottom member associated therewith, the shell and bottom member forming an aerator vase, a syphon tube extending from the topy of thevase through the bottom of the body shell and serving as a tie rod to assemble the bottom member relative to the body shell.

A further object is to provide a removable dispensing head which may be replaced by a union on the end of a discharge hose of a compressed gas line or by a charging mechanism for charging the aerator from a compressed gas bulb or the like.

Still a further object is to provide a valve in the head of the aerator which normally serves as a check valve and which may be opened by either the dispensing head when it is mounted onthe aerator and manually operated; by the union on the compressed gas line; or by the charging mechanism for charging the aerator from a gas bulb.

Another object is to provide a charging mechanism formed of a bulb holder having a piercing pin carried by the bulb holder and operable on one end to open the check valve in the top oi' the aerator and on its other end to pierce the bulb for permitting entry of gas from the bulb into the aerator, the bulb holder being screw threaded on the aerator so that initially the valve in the aerator is opened, and thereafter the bulb is pierced.

My aerator is particularly adaptable for cream which is usually termed light table" cream, having a butter fat content of percent or better. When nitrous oxide (N20) is introduced into a containerl of such cream av certain amount of gas is absorbed by the cream when enough gas is introduced tobuild up an internal pressure of 100 to 150 pounds per square inch. After the cream is completely saturated with the gas because the nitrous oxide has an ailinlty for the cream when under pressure. The cream may then be dispensed by utilizing the internal pressure, a'nd the result is much the same as obtained by mechanically whipping the cream. As the cream is released to atmospheric pressure its volume will further expand thereby further enhancing the desirable quality of the cream as a topping for sodas, sundaes, pie and the like.

Although my invention is susceptible of a variety of embodiments it is unnecessary to fully describe and illustrate more than one such embodiment in order to give a full understanding of the invention, both from its structural and functional standpoints. Accordingly, on the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a pre-- ferred and desirable embodiment of the invention, said drawings forming apart of this specication, and throughout the views of which like reference characters refer to similar parts.

On my drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerator or syphon embodying my invention and of a dispensing head mounted'thereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view of Figure 1, showing the parts on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a further enlarged sectional-view of the upper portion of Figure 2, showing a dispensing valve in open position.

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the aerator being charged from a compressed gas line.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectionalview on the line 5 5 of Figure 4, showing a union connection and its coaction with the dispensing valve.

Figure 6 is a side elevation. showing the aerator being charged from a compressed gas Y bulb.

, 8, showing the bulb holder associated with the the cream tends to expand or become aerated Figure 7 is a side elevation at 90 degrees from Figure 6, showing the gas bulb being inserted in a holder therefor. Y

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line H of Figure 7, showing the bulb and holder separated from the aerator.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure 8, showing the dispenser valve plug;y and Figure 10 is a-sectional view similar to Figure aerator and the compressed gas being transferred from the bulb to the aerator.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference character S to indicate a shell or body and Bv a bottom member therefor. The shell S has its lower edge contacting with a gaskei; I0 mounted in an annular channel l2 of the bottom member B. For hoidingthe parts S and 2 B ughuy in contact a sypnon tube le 'is provided whichservesasatierodfortheparts. The" The lower end of the syphon tube and tie rod I3 passes through a perforation I1 oi the bottom member B and through a gasket Il. A tie rod nut I9 is tightly screwed on to the syphon tube I3.

The sleeve Ii has a valve seat 2l for a dispensing valve plug 2l. 'Ihe valve plug 2l is formed of rubber or the like with a hemispherical the top thereof, while a nange of the bushing I4 contacts with the inner surface of the shell.

upper end. 'I'he valve plug 2i rests on a shoulder v formed by the upper end of the syphon tube I3 and is provided with a plurality of grooves 22 (see Figure 9) to permit passage \of gas into or from thefsyphon tube. An actuating pin 23 is loosely mounted in the sleeve I3 and has a head 2l on its lower end provided withaconcave seat resting against the valve 2I.

A dispensing head is provided for the aerator consisting of a body member 2i, a spout 23 and a knob 21. Thebodymember 25 is adapted to be screwed on to the sleeve Il and the spout 23 has a discharge slot 23.` The knob 21 is secured to a stem 2t having a stop shoulder 33 and is normally retained in the raised position of Figure 2 by a spring 3|. The mob 21 may be depressed to the position on Figure 3 for unseating the valve 2|- from the seat 20 when it is desirable to dispense the contents of the container B, B.

In Figure 4 I illustrate a compressed gasline 32 'supplying arsuitable gas such as nitrous oxide tothe aerator. Thedispensingheadhasbeen removed and in place of it a union nut 33 has been screwed on to the sleeve It. The union nut is rotatable on a sleeve fitting 34 connected with a nexible hose 35 to which the gas is supplied by a suitable valve (not shown) ahead of a pressure gauge 31. The gauge 31 is used to indicate the pressure of the gas. 'l'hesleeveucarriesastemsupported therein by webs 3l. The stem 3| is adapted to engage the actuating pin 23 for opening the valve 2I asshowninFlgure. Theiiexiblehose charging operation.

My aerator may be charged from a compressed gas bulb Il asshown in Figure l0. A holder II is provided for the bulb and the bulb may be into the holder as illustrated in Figure '1. 'Ihe holder 4I has a sleeve portion 42 provided withthreads adaptedtobescrewedonto the fitting I3 at the top of the shell S.

'Ihe holder Il also has a sleeve portion Il in which is slidably and non-rotatably supported a iloating piercing pin support 4l. The support II has a pair of lingers 43 slidable in slots 41 to provide further slidable and non-rotatable mounting of the support relative to the bulb holder.

A bulb piercing pin 43 is carried by thesupport 43 and the support has a pair ofgasket members I9 and I.. The gasket member l! is adapted to contact withy the upper end of the fitting Itasshowninliigurelotoeifectaseal at this point. while the gasket 5l is adapted to. 'effect a seal between the support Il and the Vpermits shaking of the container S during the ing pin l2 is slotted as at II to permit passage of gas from the bore of the piercing pin into the ntting II when the piercing pinis serving to open the valve 2I as in Figure l0 by engaging the actuatorY pin 23.

Practical Operaiin Inthe operation of my aerator, the nut Il and thebottommemberBotFigureZmayberemoved and the shell Sy inverted whereupon the shell may be nlled with cream to the desired level. The bottom member B is then replaced and the nut I3 tightened to eect a seal at the gasket III. 'I'he dispensing head fitting 2l may then be replaced eitherby the coupling nut 33 or the bulb holder II. When the coupling nut 33 is used gas may be introduced through the hose 35 and `such gas will issue as bubbles from the perforations I3'-. The aerator is vigorously shaken while the gas is being introduced so as to facilitate absorption of the gas by the cream. A safety valve 36 prevents pressure` in the shell B from building up to a point Awhere the shell might fail.

When the desired amount of gas has been introduced into the aerator. then gas to the line 32 is shut off and the coupling nut 33 removed. 'Ihe valve 2l will act as a check valve and close to retain the contents of the aerator. The charged cream may now be distributed from a local filling station to soda fountains. restaurants and the like by a system known as package trade. The filling station has a pick-up and delivery system which makes daily contact with the various outlets.

If. on the otherhand, theaerator is to be nlled and charged by the user, the cream nlling operation can be performed as above described and then the bulb Il is used to charge the cream. The bulb Il is nrst placed in the holder 4|, as shown in Figure 8. after which the holder is screwedinto positionon the aerator as inFigure\ l0. After the gasket 4I effects a seal with the upper end o! the fitting Il the piercing pin 4l willactuatethepintocauseittoopen the valve 2l, following which, the valve 2| will otter suilicient resistance to the actuating pin to cause the support 4l to move upwardly and effect piercingofthedischargeendofthebulbllby the piercing pin. The gas from the bulb thereupon .enters the syphon I3 as indicated by the arrows.

When it is desirable to dispense the cream from the aerator, the dispensing ntting is screwed into position on the fitting I3. "Ihe knob 21 may then A be depressed for opening the valve 2i and thereby permitting they pressure or the gas on the creamtodisplaoethecreamthroughthe perforations I3, the syphon tube I3, the fitting Il andthe spout 2t. 'I'he cream expands and issues asaribbonfrom theslot 23 as the spoutismoved as desired over the material on which the cream is being deposited.

Some'changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the .parts of my aerator with-1, out departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention. Accordingly it is my intention to cover by my claims such modified forms of structureoruseofmechanicalequivalentsasmaybe reasonably included within my scope.

I claim as my invention:

'1. In an aerator, a cylindrical shell open across its entire bottom and having a permanently closed top, a bottom member for vsaid shell, a syphon tube connected with said top of said shell and extending downwardly and through said botneck of the bulb 40. The lower end of the piere` 75 tom member, a closure nut on said tube against said bottom member whereby the tube serves as a tie rod to retain said bottom member and said shell in assembled relation to each other, and a dispensing head on said shell and communicating with the upper end of said syphon tube.

2. An aerator comprising a shell having a fixed top, a bottom member for said shell, a syphon tube xed to said top of said shell and extending freely through said bottom member, a nut on said tube whereby the tube serves as a tie rod for said bottom member with respect to said shell, a dispensing head on said shell and means of communication between said syphon tube and the interior of said shell adjacent said bottom member, and between said syphon tube and said dispensing head. f

3. An aerator comprising an open bottom shell,v

a bottom member therefor, a syphon tube from the top of said shell and extending freely through said bottom member, a nut on said tube whereby the tube may be drawn downwardly through said bottom member to serve as a tie rod to retain said bottom member and said shell in disconnectible assembled relation to each other, a dispensing head on said shell, valve means in said head and means of communication between the interior of said shell, said tube and said valve means.

4. In an aerator, a shell open at its bottom, a separable bottom member therefor, a combined syphon tube and tie rod from the top of said shell through said bottom member, a nut on, said tube exterior of said bottom member, a tting on the top of said syphon tube, said tting having a valve seat, a valve plug for seating thereagainst, said valve plug being formed entirely of resilient material and being positioned between said syphon tube and said seat, said plug being normally of greater length than the distance between said syphon tube and said seat, an actuating pin in said tting, and a dispensing head removably positioned on said fitting and including an operating knob coactible with said actuating pin to move it downwardly, said actuating pin coacting with said valve plug to unseat the upper end thereof from said seat by compression of the plug by the pin.

5. In an aerator, a shell, a syphon tube depending into said shell, a dispensing head on the outer end thereof, a valve seat and a valve plug between said tube and head, said valve plug being formed of resilient material and being of greater height than the distance between said seat and tube, an actuating pin, said dispensing head including an actuator for said pin to propel it, thereby causing it to engage and to unseat said valve plug relative to said seat.

6. In an aerator of the character disclosed, a shell, a syphon tube extending thereinto, a dispensing head at the outer end thereof, a tting for connecting said dispensing head to raid syphon tube, said tting having a valve seat, a valve plug supported for seating thereagainst, and an actuating pin in said fitting means for opening said valve by compressing it through actuation of said actuating pin, said valve plug being of greater length than the distance between its support and said valve seat so that it is normally seated and its seated end moves away from saidseat while its opposite end remains stationary rwhen the valve plug is compressed.

7. An aerator comprising a shell, a syphon tube depending into said shell, a tting on one end of said syphon tube, said tting having a. valve seat, a valve plugforseating thereagainst, said valve plug being formed of resilient material, positioned between said syphon tube and said seat and being of greater length than the distance between said syphon tube and said seat whereby the resiliency of the plug retains it seated, an actuating pinin said ttin'g, ,and a dispensing head including an operating means for said actuating pin to control the unseating of said valve plug.

LAWRENCE T. WARD. 

